Listen to the article
San Francisco parents are scrambling to manage childcare and activities as a teachers’ strike enters its third day, leaving nearly 50,000 students out of classrooms with no clear end in sight.
Connor Haught, who works in the construction industry, has been balancing virtual work meetings with organizing arts and crafts projects for his two daughters, ages 8 and 9.
“The big concern for parents is really the timeline of it all and trying to prepare for how long this could go on,” Haught said. He and his wife, a restaurant worker, planned to keep their children home during the first week of the strike, arranging play dates and local excursions with other families.
The labor dispute has closed all 120 schools in the San Francisco Unified School District as approximately 6,000 educators demand higher wages, improved health benefits, and increased resources for students with special needs.
Parents throughout the city are cobbling together childcare solutions, with some utilizing after-school programs that have expanded to full-day operations during the strike. Others rely on relatives or informal support networks with fellow parents.
“We didn’t try to jump on all the camps and things right away because they can be pricey, and we may be a little more fortunate with our schedule than some of the other people that are being impacted,” Haught explained.
The United Educators of San Francisco and district officials have been locked in negotiations for nearly a year. On Wednesday, hundreds of teachers gathered at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach, forming the word “strike” in large letters as talks continued behind closed doors. Despite ongoing negotiations, the district announced schools would remain closed Thursday.
Lily Perales, a history teacher at Mission High School, defended the walkout despite its impact on students. “We believe our students deserve to learn safely in schools, and that means having fully staffed schools. That means retaining teachers by offering them competitive wage packages and health care, and it means to fully fund all of the programs we know the students need the most.”
The dispute centers on compensation and benefits in one of America’s most expensive cities. The union initially requested a 9% raise over two years to help offset San Francisco’s high cost of living. The district, which faces a $100 million deficit and remains under state financial oversight, countered with a 6% increase spread over three years.
Superintendent Maria Su expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations, claiming district representatives were prepared to negotiate through Tuesday night but union negotiators had left. “We have been ready to negotiate this entire time. We are prepared and committed to getting this agreement done today,” she said at a Wednesday morning press conference.
The strike highlights broader challenges facing urban school districts nationwide, including teacher retention, competitive compensation, and adequate funding for specialized education services.
For parents like Sonia Sanabria, the strike creates significant economic hardship. A restaurant cook, Sanabria has stayed home to care for her 5-year-old daughter and 11-year-old nephew rather than burden her elderly mother.
“If the strike continues, I’ll have to ask my job for a leave of absence, but it will affect me because if I don’t work, I don’t earn,” she explained. Sanabria has created improvised lessons at home, assigning reading and writing exercises and working on math problems with the children.
The San Francisco Parents Coalition urged both sides to find middle ground quickly. “Everyday that the schools are closed, it comes with incredible pain and cost to many, many, children,” said coalition member Mahdi Rahimi, who has a son in the district.
Despite her own challenges, Sanabria expressed support for the teachers’ position. “They are asking for better wages and better health insurance, and I think they deserve that because they teach our children, they take care of them and are helping them to have a better future,” she said. “I just hope they reach agreement soon.”
As the strike continues, thousands of families across San Francisco remain in limbo, uncertain when their children will return to classrooms.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
16 Comments
The disruption caused by this strike must be incredibly frustrating for parents. Trying to balance work, childcare, and keeping kids engaged must be a real challenge. I hope the teachers and district can reach an agreement that addresses the core issues without prolonged school closures.
Agreed. The uncertainty around the timeline is probably the most difficult part. Parents need stability and predictability, especially when it comes to their children’s education.
It’s unfortunate that the students are caught in the middle of this labor dispute. Educators deserve fair compensation and benefits, but the impact on families is significant. I hope a compromise can be reached that addresses the teachers’ concerns while minimizing disruption to learning.
Well said. Finding the right balance is critical. The students shouldn’t have to suffer, but the teachers also need to be adequately supported.
The logistics of this strike must be a real headache for parents. Juggling work, childcare, and keeping kids entertained and engaged is no easy feat. I hope the school district and teachers can quickly resolve their differences for the sake of the students.
Yes, it’s a tough situation all around. Maintaining some semblance of routine and normalcy for the kids during this time must be really challenging for parents.
It’s really unfortunate that the students are bearing the brunt of this labor dispute. Parents are having to scramble to find alternative childcare and activities, which must be a huge logistical challenge. I hope the teachers and district can come to a swift resolution.
Absolutely. The students should not be collateral damage in this situation. A compromise that addresses the teachers’ concerns while minimizing disruption to learning would be the ideal outcome.
This is a tricky situation. On one hand, the teachers are advocating for important issues like higher wages and better resources for special needs students. But the impact on families is undeniable. I hope both sides can come to the table and find a solution that works for everyone.
Absolutely. There has to be a compromise that addresses the core concerns of the teachers while minimizing the disruption for students and families.
This strike is really disruptive for families. Parents are having to scramble to find alternative childcare solutions while schools are closed. I hope the district and teachers can reach an agreement soon to get kids back in the classroom.
Agreed, the uncertainty around how long this will last is a big challenge. Hopefully the two sides can find common ground and resolve the dispute quickly.
This is a complex issue without any easy solutions. The teachers have legitimate grievances, but the impact on families is substantial. I hope both sides can find a way to compromise and get the students back in school as soon as possible.
Agreed. These labor disputes are always a delicate balance. Hopefully cooler heads can prevail and they can reach an agreement that works for everyone involved.
This strike highlights the complex dynamics between educators, school districts, and families. While the teachers’ demands seem reasonable, the impact on parents and students is significant. I hope all parties can work together constructively to find a solution that works for everyone.
Well said. These labor disputes often put the students in a difficult position. Hopefully the negotiations can proceed in good faith and with the best interests of the children in mind.